Calculator
ADU Cost & Rent Calculator
Cost to build, rent in your area, and how long until it pays for itself.
An ADU — an accessory dwelling unit, or backyard rental — can turn unused lot space into monthly income, but only if the rent outruns the build cost. Pick a studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom unit and enter your ZIP, and this tool estimates what it would cost to build, what it would rent for in your area, and the break-even timeline before the rent has paid back the build.
- Estimate build cost by unit size — studio, 1-bed, or 2-bed
- See typical monthly rent tailored to your ZIP code
- Get a break-even timeline before the rent covers the build
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to build an ADU?
It depends on size and location. A studio or garage-conversion JADU is the cheapest path, a detached one-bedroom runs more, and a two-bedroom unit costs the most. Site work, permits, and finishes vary widely — a contractor bid sets the real number. This tool gives a directional estimate scaled to your area.
How long until an ADU pays for itself?
Divide the build cost by the monthly rent to get a gross break-even in months. In higher-rent areas the payback is faster. This is before financing and operating costs, so treat it as the optimistic case and pad for vacancy, maintenance, and any loan interest.
How much rent can an ADU earn?
ADU rent is often roughly 50–70% of a main-house rent and tracks local apartment rents by size. A one-bedroom ADU is the most common build and usually offers the best rent-per-dollar. Enter your ZIP to see an area-tailored estimate.